Detective Chief Superintendent Judi Heaton, head of crime for the force, said: "Whilst we share the concerns of groups who want to expose potential child sex offenders, in many of the recent cases we have seen locally, they have got it wrong.

"Our first priority is keeping all those who live and work in our area safe and - whether it is their intention or not - these vigilante groups are potentially putting the lives of innocent people at risk.

"In many of the recent cases, there has been no suggestion that the men accused believed they were speaking to a young person.

"These accusations can destroy lives, ruin marriages and end careers. There have even been tragic cases where people who have been wrongly branded paedophiles have taken their own lives."

She urged anyone with information about child sex offences to contact police and let them "do their job".